Depending on the setting, installing a pebble shower floor may or may not be a brilliant choice; after all, they look beautiful. However, you must consider the pebble shower floor pros and cons beforehand and remember the layout can work for one person but not for another.
A pebble shower floor is easy to install, affordable, slip-resistant, beautiful, and will massage your feet. However, on the flip side, it’s high maintenance, has a short lifespan, unsuitable for hard water, uses a lot of grout, and some hold on to water.
A pebble shower floor is undoubtedly a worthy consideration if you crave a natural finish in your bathroom.
Your feet will enjoy stepping on a pebble while enjoying a warm shower, but beyond the beauty, let’s examine the practicality of this shower floor.
Pebble Shower Floor Pros and Cons (Explained!)
| Pros | Cons | |
| 1. | Beautiful | High maintenance |
| 2. | Affordable | Special skills may be needed for the installation |
| 3. | Easy to install | Less durable than other shower floors |
| 4. | It comes in a wide variety | Unsuitable for hard water |
| 5. | Slip-resistant | It can retain water |
| 6. | It doesn’t scratch or wear-out easily | Uses a lot of grout |
| 7. | Comfortable on your feet | Slippery if poorly textured |
| 8. | It can be uncomfortable on bare feet |
Pros of Pebble Shower Floor
The benefits of installing a pebble shower floor include the following:
1. Easy to Install
Laying a pebble floor requires less expertise than installing other types, like teak shower floors. Arranging the pebbles adjacent to each other is a cardinal component of the installation procedure.
Aside from that, all you need is a set of hands to create a gorgeous pebble bathroom floor. Therefore, if you are a DIY person, you will enjoy this.
2. Affordable
Even though you have to buy pebbles and the equipment for installation, this type of floor won’t break the bank to install. You’ll need a few tools, stones, grout, thinset, and a sealant to get started.
A pebble flooring usually costs approximately $4 to $8 per square foot. Stone flooring costs around $7 per square foot, which is more expensive than pebble flooring.
3. Slip-resistant
With the prevalence of bathroom accidents and severe injuries on slippery flooring, laying a bathroom floor that naturally alleviates falls is a huge benefit. Pebble flooring is a collection of stones of various shapes and sizes securely lodged in the ground with grout and a sealant used between the rocks to improve traction.
As a result, you will not slip easily on pebble flooring. Nonetheless, wearing rubber footwear, such as crocs and flip-flops, minimizes the risk of falling on pebble floors even further.
4. Massaging Effect on Your Feet
Walking barefoot on stones is therapeutic. It’s similar to a massage in that it stimulates specific reflexogenic spots on the soles of your feet.
To get the full effect, use rounder pebbles that appear more natural than square ones. Also, the comfort derived from pebble shower floors depends on the sensitivity of your feet.
5. It Doesn’t Scratch or Wear-out Easily
You don’t have to stress about the surfaces of pebble tiles or genuine pebbles scratching or wearing because they’re essentially rocks in your bathroom. However, if you dump something weighty on the pebble floor, you may damage one or two stones that require slight repair.
This floor will almost certainly never need a replacement, but you’ll need to do simple repairs like reapplying sealant.
Moreover, pebble floors are non-porous, meaning they will not collect water and stains like other materials. It makes them of use in reducing mildew and mold growth in moist places like showers.
6. Beautiful Finish
The varied hues, uneven surface, and matching grout color create one of the most naturalistic effects for a shower floor. If you enjoy a natural atmosphere in your house and prefer simplicity, pebbles won’t disappoint.
Additionally, you can lay pebble shower floors in different ways to get the design you want.
Pebble Tile Shower Floor Cons
Here are the shortcomings of pebble tile floors
1. Requires Expert Skills to Install
Before placing this type of flooring, you should have a skilled plumber inspect the floor under the restroom to avoid any leaks caused by the pebble tile flooring, which is rarely watertight.
For instance, making the proper shower pan mortar may be rather challenging.
2. High Maintenance
Cleaning and maintaining pebble floors are demanding. To guarantee the floor’s endurance, wipe it dry after each shower.
Scrubbing the floor could cause the grout to fall out, prompting recurrent fixes.
3. Short Lifespan
To maintain the condition of the grout and sealant, clean the floor regularly. Due to the non-uniform nature of the surface, it loses the grout and sealant during cleaning and everyday usage scenarios.
This is because the grout and sealant are more visible than on other bathroom floors. Nonetheless, a pebble shower floor can endure 20 years before demanding significant repairs when properly maintained.
4. May Need Expertise to Perfect the Finish
Water may infiltrate through the pebble floor if you do not complete it perfectly, and the floor beneath will deteriorate or disintegrate. Additionally, standing water is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold.
5. Can Be Uncomfortable on Bare Feet
The corrugated surface of pebble bathroom floors can be unpleasant on your feet, particularly if you have foot issues like plantar fasciitis. Therefore, wearing footwear when bathing may be necessary to avoid pain.
6. Unsuitable for Hard Water
If you are using hard water, you will have to be diligent in routine cleaning and maintenance to retain the elegance of the pebble floor in your bathroom. This is because hard water leaves a thin chalky layer on the pebbles if unremoved.
Is A Pebble Shower Floor Hard to Clean?
Cleaning a pebble shower floor is relatively simple, but many individuals are unwilling to put in the effort. To remove body oil and soap residue, clean the floor at least once a week to curb mold and mildew growth.
After bathing, ensure you dry the shower floor as fast as possible. In addition, you may have to deal with hard water stains, but it shouldn’t stress you since all you have to do is clean it with white vinegar.
If you notice white spots forming, remove them as quickly as possible to avoid having layer upon layer of hard-water coatings.
Do Pebble Shower Floors Need Sealing?
Sealing your pebble shower floor is vital in keeping it looking good for years. Designers recommend sealing the pebble tiles before grouting them.
Do this with a high-quality, penetrating sealer rather than a cheap sealer that will create problems later on.
How Do You Clean a Natural Stone Pebble Shower Floor?
Here are some methods that will help you clean your natural stone pebble shower floor:
1. Using A DIY Cleaner
This method only requires suitable neutral-PH solutions and the correct installation of pebble tiles in the shower.
You can clean the pebble shower flooring with vinegar by following these steps:
- Put vinegar and water in a clean spray container at a 1:16 ratio and thoroughly mix the contents.
- Squirt the solution well onto the pebble floor and wait several minutes for it to take effect. The time allotted is aimed at removing hard water deposits, soap scum, and any residue left on the surface.
- Make sure you wash the pebbles around the corners.
- Put on the shower to rinse the flooring.
- Allow it to dry.
2. Use A Steam Cleaner
The steam cleaning approach removes soap scum from pebble shower floors. It’s a safe and user-friendly approach that entails the procedures listed below.
- Wet and clean the floor using a PH-neutral solution or mild alkaline.
- Use a handheld cleaner at an angle and 3 to 6 inches above the pebble surface to remove old grime and dirt.
- Rinse your floor with water and allow it to dry for a few minutes. The procedure cleans your pebble floor thoroughly, removing all soap scum and filth.
3. Use Mild Detergents
Mild detergents with an alkaline base work well on pebble floors with many tiny stones. However, note that chemicals like ammonia can quickly harm the floor surface.
With that in mind, follow the steps below:
- In an equal ratio, combine 1/4 cup of vegetable-based detergent with warm water.
- Apply the mixture to the floor and scrape it with a bristle brush. The approach yields excellent outcomes in a short period.
4. Use A Commercial Cleaner
You can use commercial cleaners designed for tiles and natural stones to clean natural stone pebble shower floors. However, they have varying guidelines and procedures, so check each label carefully before using it.
Avoid poisonous cleaners since they will harm your floor.
Final Remarks on Pebble Shower Floor Pros and Cons
The pebble shower floor pros and cons post reveals that such a floor layout is indeed handy and provides infinite decorating possibilities in distinct sizes, colors, and shades. However, they have certain downsides, such as demanding specialist skills for a flawless finish, high maintenance, and short lifespan. With that, you can make an informed installation.
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